Jones is the leading candidate to be Obama's national security advisor.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - Two sources close to the Obama transition team tell CNN retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones has emerged as President-elect's leading choice to become national security adviser in the White House.

The sources said Jones has been given the impression by the President-elect that the job is his if he wants it. But the officials said there are still private discussions underway and no final decision has been made.

The discussions are focused on precisely how much power Jones will have in the staff job since he is used to being in a command role. Among his many posts, Jones served for several years as the operational commander for NATO.

In the third and final presidential debate, Obama noted that he deeply values advice from Jones, who has four decades of military service.

One person close to the transition noted Jones is a bipartisan figure who has warm relationships with both current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who may stay on the job for at least a brief period, as well as Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is now on track to be nominated as Secretary of State after Thanksgiving.
CNN first reported last week that Jones was getting serious consideration for either national security adviser or Energy Secretary.

soundoff(183 Responses)

marymary488

Yes, it will be a REAL CHANGE not to have our two dictators, bush and chaney in the white house , causing the worst disastors this country has ever been in, and It will be worse cleaning up their mess than cleaning a pig pen, after their 8 yr's of coruption and greed. Best of luck to our new administration, they will need all the help they can get, of course we also get to help clean up the mess, tighten our belts and bite the bullet, because It's not going to be any joy ride.

November 21, 2008 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

we need something new- from OH

to Karen from San Antonio- Powell said on national TV that he was not interested in having a formal position of power in an obama administration. he said that he would rather play in informal role, off the record, advising obama, as he had been throughout the campaign.

November 21, 2008 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

john in VA

Oh what a laugh these haters like ck are. It's impossible to take them seriously when there is such a lack of coherent thought in their posts. Perhaps they think "Joe the Plumber" would be the best choice for security adviser. Personally, I want the *best* qualified person for the job, not a college drinking buddy. Remember "You're doing a heck of a good job Brownie!" ?

November 21, 2008 12:50 pm at 12:50 pm |

Optimistic 09

It's so funny to sit back and watch, listen to and read the comments of the paranoid Republicans! Keep it up. You guys are entertaining!

November 21, 2008 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |

Chipster

LiberalsHateAmerica:
Do you even know what socialism is? Human social programs are not even close to socialism, which is the "state ownership state and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and the creation of an egalitarian society." Con-heads, who scream socialism every time the government offers funds to "promote the general welfare" as the Constitution requires, don't appear to even know what socialism is. The closest thing we've had to socialism is the government's purchase of stocks in the failing financial markets and that's under YOUR guy's watch, Dude. Obama is a Capitalist.

November 21, 2008 12:51 pm at 12:51 pm |

Nola

What is needed at this time/period in this country – individuals that have the knowledge and experience too hit the floor on the first day – President elect Obama appears to have too be selecting individuals that will help him too gear this country back on track. At this time this country is in very very bad shape financially – it will not correct itself overnight but with hard work and each citizen in this country working toward the goal of restoring this country's position in the world –